"Aw' c'mon" Show Review - The Soft Pack @ Great Scott. Allston, MA

I went to see The Soft Pack last night at Great Scott in Allston.  I've been digging thier self titled album a lot and at $10 a ticket, I'd be an asshole not to go. The opening bands were Beaters & NODZZZ.  I missed almost all of the Beaters' set but caught all of NODZZZ...unfortunately, could have done without.  I really don't like to hate on bands, but this one was not one of my favorites.  I wont harp on them any longer, just not a fan.  Anyway, the Soft Pack came out and played a great set.  I was blown away by their talent.  It always gets me when I see dudes younger than me ripping it up on stage, touring and living the dream.  Not to mention releasing one hell of a great album (Self Titled - Feb 2010).  Hailing from sunny San Diego, it only makes sense their record solicits summer suns and warm surf tones.  Really energetic, punk influenced, garage rock is what I like and is what the Soft Pack are all about.  I 100% recommend checking them out if they make their way to your neck of the woods this year.

31-Mar	MAXWELL’S w/ NODZZZ, BEATERS	Hoboken, New Jersey
1-Apr	THE MERCURY LOUNGE w/ NODZZZ, BEATERS	Manhattan, New York
3-Apr	MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG w/ MALE BONDING, NODZZZ, BEATERS	Brooklyn, New York
6-Apr	LA TULIPE w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Montreal
7-Apr	EL MOCAMBO CLUB w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Toronto
8-Apr	MAGIC STICK w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Detroit, Michigan
9-Apr	THE EMPTY BOTTLE w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	Chicago, Illinois
10-Apr	TURF CLUB w/ MALE BONDING, BEATERS	St. Paul, Minnesota
13-Apr	CHOP SUEY w/ MALE BONDING	Seattle, Washington
14-Apr	DOUG FIR LOUNGE w/ MALE BONDING	Portland, Oregon
15-Apr	BOTTOM OF THE HILL w/ MALE BONDING	San Francisco, California
18-Apr	COACHELLA	Indio, California

The Soft Pack

This song is awesome. "C'Mon"

Live on Letterman. Oh, check out the drummer.  He's practically standing upright when he plays. Kinda intense.

New Video: Titus Andronicus - "A More Perfect Union"

A More Perfect Union

Titus Andronicus | MySpace Music Videos

Okay, I've been meaning to write about this album ever since I first laid ears on it, and with this video release for "A More Perfect Union", I felt it was a sign that today should be that day.  The Monitor came out earlier this month and I was immediately blown away. Titus Andronicus created an intricately raw and layered rock album guaranteed to be in the running for 'album of the year'. They have an amazing ability to fuse lo-fi punk and alt rock to produce a rough yet fantastically powerful indie rock sound that I cannot get enough of. Seriously, I listen to this album in full at least 3 times a week. Oh, and I just found out they recorded The Monitor in a barn in New Paltz, NY.  If you've been to NP then you understand why that's cool.

If your a fan of the rough, punk inspired, rock that bands like Japandroids, No Age, or the Soft Pack create, then be sure to check out Titus Andronicus!

The video is sweet but unfortunately, the song is cut down from the full 7:10 to a weak 3:34. You need to hear the track in its entirety to really appreciate what they've done here. Track one below.

Titus Andronicus

Crushing Hard: National Zooey Deschanel Day

So the new She & Him came out today and I have absolutely no problem admitting to listening and loving their stuff.  Seriously, what's not to like?  It's extremely happy, upbeat, oldie's inspired, fun! With brilliant songwriting from M. Ward paired with the oh so gorgeous and multi-talented singer/actress Zooey Deschanel, the cleverly titled She & Him are an indie-folk duo guaranteed to appeal to audiences of all extremes.  "Volume Two" (Merge Records. March 2010) literally picks up right where "Volume One" left off.  On Two, we find 13 tracks of consistently lovely folk-pop assured to get you smiling while hanging in your apartment, going for a drive, or going for a walk in the sun.

Volume Two - She & Him

And while the music is great, my personal favorite part is the imagery that accompanies "She & Him" Is there a more attractive woman out there?...not possible.

Free Listen - MGMT's New Album "Congradulations"

"Hey everybody, the album leaked, and we wanted you to be able to hear it from us. We wanted to offer it as a free download but that didn't make sense to anyone but us"

Gee, thanks MGMT! That is pretty rad of you.

Check out the free stream of their new album "Congradulations" (due out April 13, 2010) at their website: WHOISMGMT?

New Hold Steady Track! "Hurricane J" via Pitchfork

This is going to be a great summer! New Hold Steady album is set to drop May 4th, just as the sun is finding its place permanently affixed in the New England skies.  The Hold Steady could easily be considered one of my favorite bands of the recent years.  Last summer I had the chance to check them out at the Virgin Free Fest in Baltimore, MD and it was without a doubt one of the best live performances I've seen.  I don't think I could recommend a better band for sunny summertime sing alongs..drinking beers and toasting to good vibes.

Track isn't available yet on lala.com but Pitchfork was able to share it with us.  Check it out here.  I plan on posting it here once I can get my hands on the mp3.  For now, check out these vids.

The Hold Steady: Stay Positive

The Hold Steady: Chips Ahoy

Free Music Friday!

Friday = your chance to explore new music...for FREE. (actually not all tracks are "new", but all are pretty sweet)
 

(images & links prompt mp3 download)

 The Morning Benders - "Promises"
from Big Echo (Mar. 2010)

Pantha Du Prince - "The Splendour"
from Black Noise (Feb. 2010)

RJD2 - "Games You Can Win"
from Colossus (Jan. 2010)

Jeff The Brotherhood - "Bone Jam"
from Heavy Days (Oct. 2009)

No Age - "Eraser"
from Nouns (May 2008)

Urban Outfitters: more than just a trendy cash suck

In the spirit of SXSW, Urban Outfitters is dropping 25 FREE tracks on us. Some great picks are mixed in this list.  Check out Urban Outfitters Live In Austin for updates on all that's going down at SXSW via U.O.'s eyes.  I also would like to mention that I happened upon these free tracks in my quest for a new trendily obscure t-shirt.

Washed Out - "Feel It All Around"
Jookabox - "Light"
A Sunny Day In Glasgow - "Nitetime Rainbows"
Dam-Funk - "Mirrors"
Toro Y Moi -"Blessa"
Local Natives - "Sun Hands"
Surfer Blood - "Swim"
Free Energy - "Dream City"
Dum Dum Girls - "Jail La La"
Japandroids - "Young Hearts Spark Fire"
Wake Up Lucid - "Broke Down House"
Let's Wrestle - "We Are the Men You'll Grow to Love Soon"
Here We Go Magic - "Fangela"
Acrylics - "All of the Fire"
Jeremy Jay - "Just Dial My Number"
Bachelorette - "The National Grid"
Scanners - "We Never Close Our Eyes"
Warpaint - "Krimson"
The Golden Filter - "Hide Me"
Memory Tapes - "Plain Material"
Villagers - "On a Sunlit Stage"

Click here to get all 25 tracks

Free mp3s - Drive By Truckers - "Birthday Boy" & "This Fucking Job"

Cop 2 Free tracks from this week's new one by the Drive By Truckers via RCRD LBL.  I'm digging on "This Fucking Job" more so, but both songs are sweet.  Some good ol' southern rock for you on St. Patty's Day.

from The Big To-Do (March 2010)

Ridiculously Fun Album Alert! - Fang Island

Fang Island - self titled (February 2010)

"Fang Island is a self-proclaimed “Healing & Easy Listening / Visual” band from “Philayorkadence” in the United States of America. Fang Island makes music that they describe as 'everyone high-fiving everyone.'" - Last.fm Haha this is such a great description for this band.  Seriously, I just gave Fang Island's self titled album a listen here at work and it easily took the place of my routine post-lunch cup of coffee. So much energy in each addictive track.  Its like listening to 8 different genres rolled into one; post-punk, elecronic, classic rock, instrumental, metal, alt. rock, etc. etc.  This is definitely a favorite for 2010. Check the full album out below.

Fang Island - Fang Island

Huge fan of "Daisy", "Sideswiper", "Careful Crossers", "Welcome Wagon", & "The Illinois".  Start there!

The video for "Daisy" is sweet. Check it.

New Music Tuesday - Noteable Releases

Well, not as intense as last week, but still a few albums dropped today that are definitely worth checking out.

(album art links to respective album page at lala.com for your free listening pleasure) 

Drive-By Truckers - "The Big To-Do"

I've seen these guys before at Virgin Free Fest back a few years back.  A really talented bunch of songwriters from Athens, Georgia.  Feel good southern rock, reminiscent of  the vibe The Hold Steady creates, another favorite of mine.

Check out Pitchfork's review - 7.4

The White Stripes - "Under Great Northern Lights"

A collection of 16 Live tracks from our friends The White Stripes

The Whigs - "In The Dark"

Generally favorable review from (the increasingly un-reputable) RollingStone.com: "Athens, Georgia, band the Whigs build arena-size tunes out of some very unarena influences — including the Replacements, Pixies, My Morning Jacket and Spoon. The band's third disc is the sharpest distillation of its neo-college rock yet, with Animal Collective producer Ben H. Allen's arty, wall-of-sound approach brightening singer-guitarist Parker Gispert's underdog anthems while rarely slowing them down. "I Am for Real" sets echo-chamber guitar grind to a disco throb; "Someone's Daughter" is a riff-monster stomp worthy of Billy Squier; and "I Don't Even Care About the One I Love" suggests the Whigs have got a great record of R.E.M. answer-songs in them, if the local bars ever stop producing hardhearted girls to shout about." - John Dolan R.S.

Rad Flyer Art for an Awesome Show in Texas.

Excellent art. Just had to share this flyer I saw on Pitchfork today promoting a kick ass pair of shows in Austin, TX this weekend; more specifically the Pitchfork/Windish Austin Party and the Pitchfork SXSW Showcase.

The Pitchfork/Windish Austin Bash (Emo's, March 19):
12:00 - Warpaint (Emo's Jr.)
12:30 - Local Natives (Emo's)
1:00 - Javelin (Emo's Jr.)
1:30 - Free Energy (Emo's)
2:00 - Real Estate (Emo's Jr.)
2:30 - Washed Out (Emo's)
3:00 - Dâm-Funk (Emo's Jr.)
3:30 - Best Coast (Emo's)
4:00 - Memory Tapes (Emo's Jr.)
4:30 - Surfer Blood (Emo's)
5:00 - Neon Indian (Emo's Jr.)
5:30 - Japandroids (Emo's)
The Pitchfork SXSW Showcase (The Scoot Inn, March 20):
7:30 - Titus Andronicus
8:15 - The Smith Westerns
9:00 - Here We Go Magic
9:45 - Pictureplane
10:30 - The Very Best
11:15 - Bear in Heaven
12:00 - Freddie Gibbs
12:45 - Sleigh Bells

Free Music Friday!

In keeping with the trend, here are a few FREE tracks from recently discovered and blogged about artists..plus a few favorites. Enjoy!

(images prompt free mp3 download)

 Gorillaz - "Superfast Jellyfish"
from Plastic Beach (March 2010)

 Jimi Hendrix - "Valleys of Neptune"

from Valleys of Neptune (March 2010)

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - "Even Heroes Have to Die"
from The Brutalist Bricks (March 2010)

Frightened Rabbit - "Swim Until You Can't See Land"
from The Winter of Mixed Drinks (March 2010)

The Morning Benders - "Excuses"
from Big Echo (March 2010)

Pavement - "Stereo"
from Quarantine the Past (March 2010)

Liars - "Scissor"
from Sisterworld (March 2010)

 Animal Collective - "What Would I Want? Sky"
from Fall Be Kind (November 2009)

 The National - "So Far Around the Bend"
from Dark Was the Night (February 2009)

Me and My Weakness for Pop Punk

Despite the fact that my taste in music has grown increasingly more eclectic and mature since my naive and somewhat mutinous youth, the pop-punk/emo/melodic-hardcore blood still pumps through my veins...and always will. That said, I recently came across an album taking an authentic stab contemptoary pop punk; This Time Next Year's "Road Maps & Heart Attacks".  There's so much whiny bullshit out there, and when a band like this comes along and does pop-punk right, I get pumped.  Much like the recent release from Four Year Strong, Road Maps & Heart Attacks will certainly be in my rotation on those few sunny summer days we have in the north east.  

This Time Next Year - Road Map...

Coachella 2010 - oh so soon! oh so not that expensive!

Seriously considering going to Coachella this year. Only $269 for 3 days of insanely good music in the California sun!?  With this lineup...damn. I gotta do some serious thinking/planning. Just marinate on the following and you'll see what I mean:

Intense New Music Tuesday!

An amazing day for new releases! Thank god for lala so we get to hear it all!

(album art links to respective album page at lala.com)

Jimi Hendrix - "Valleys of Neptune"

Gorillaz - "Plastic Beach"

Broken Bells - "Broken Bells"

Four Year Strong - "Enemy of the World"

Frightened Rabbit - "The Winter of Mixed Drinks"

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists - "Brutalist Bricks"

 Pavement - "Quarantine the Past: The Best of Pavement"

Titus Andronicus - "The Monitor"

Morning Benders - "Big Echo"

Free Music Friday!

A few sweet FREE tracks to take us into the weekend. Enjoy!

(images prompt mp3 download)

 

Titus Andronicus - "Four Score and Seven Part 1"

from The Monitor (March 2010)

  

Los Campesinos! - "Romance is Boring"

from Romance is Boring (January 2010)

  

Broken Social Scene - "World Sick"

from Forgiveness Rock Record (May 2010)

  

Local Natives - "Sun Hands"

from Gorilla Manor (February 2010)

  

Portugal. The Man - "The Dead Dog"

from American Ghetto (March 2010)

  

Freelance Whales - "Generator ^ Second Floor"

from Weathervanes (December 2009)

  

Neon Indian - "Deadbeat Summer"

from Psychic Chasms (October 2009)